Climate

Latest Updates

fish

The Correction: Surf, Turf…Or Plants?

A recent article in Popular Science touts “sustainably-sourced seafood” without reporting on the massive damage caused by industrial fishing and aquaculture.

cows

Cambridge University Says It’s ‘Closing a Chapter on Meat’, but There’s Still Plenty of Beef on the Menu

One of the world’s most prestigious universities made a pledge to go meat-free but the reality has been far from sustainable.

Latin America and the Caribbean Must Reduce Beef Emissions To Meet Net-zero, New Report Says

A new report shows countries in the region must reduce their beef consumption in order to meet climate targets.

Carribean sargassum

Besieged by Sargassum, Caribbean Islanders Are Looking for Solutions

Sargassum provides habitat for hundreds of species and food for turtles. But when it chokes the coastline, it’s a sea-life killer that smothers shallow-water habitats.

vegan leather

No, Vegan Leather Is Not Greenwashing

Despite what you may have read in a few viral Twitter threads, animal leather is not more sustainable than vegan leather.

algae bloom

Danger Looms Where Toxic Algae Blooms

Animal agriculture is the primary source of nutrient pollution to Great Lakes waters. Yet billions spent on clean up strategies aren’t working.

dairy cow

What Are the Environmental Impacts of Dairy Farming?

The global dairy industry is responsible for rising rates of water and air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and degraded farmland.

farmed animals in drought

Millions of Factory Farm Animals Are Living in Drought. Here’s What That Looks Like.

“We’re in an apocalyptic phase for animals in CAFOs.”

dairy cow

New Study Shows Canadians Should Eat Less Meat and Dairy to Reach Climate Goals

New research shows Canadians can reach their climate goals by reducing meat and dairy consumption.

ecosystems

Humans Destroying Ecosystems: How to Measure Our Impact on the Environment

Human activities like industrialized animal farming are causing the destruction of ecosystems worldwide, including as many as 1 million plant and animal species.

‘Our Oceans Are Not Getting Any Healthier’: Conservationists React to Failed High Seas Treaty Talks

A UN treaty to protect international waters has been delayed for the fifth time.

baby grouse

Grouse Hunting Persists Despite Record of Damage to Wildlife and Environment

Grouse hunting kills hundreds of thousands of animals each year in the U.K. and releases 260,000 tons of carbon.

Midwest Journalism Fund

Announcing New Midwest Journalism Fund

Sentient Media is launching a new $10,000 fund and training program to support journalists in the Midwest who report on environmental and agricultural issues.

cashmere goats

What Is Cashmere Made of and Why Shouldn’t You Buy It?

Intensive farming may have made cashmere more affordable, but overgrazing has also led to widespread environmental damage and animal suffering.

Land burned to be cleared for animal agriculture in September near Porto Velho

Amazon Deforestation: Why Is the Rainforest Being Destroyed?

Deforestation continues to wipe out the Amazon rainforest at alarming rates — threatening to release climate emissions and wipe out wildlife and Indigenous communities.

puffin pair

15 Animals That Mate for Life

Non-human animals engage in a wide range of relationships that mirror the human experience — from monogamy to open relationships to dating around.

shorebird

Avian Flu Could Hit Latin America Next, Shorebird Researchers Warn

The avian influenza is a growing source of concern for Latin American researchers, since its high pathogenicity represents a risk of infection for migratory shorebirds.

sanctuary cow

New Study Confirms — Again — Plant-Based Is Better for the Planet

University of Oxford researchers examined 57,000 foods and deemed plant-based options better for the environment than meat.

deforestation

What Are the Causes and Effects of Deforestation?

Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, especially clearing land for cattle and soy to feed farmed animals.

beef cattle quebec

How Does Livestock Farming Affect Climate Change?

Animal farming is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide.

ocean life

Overfishing Urgently Needs Reeling in to Cope With Climate Change

Researchers say officials must do more to curb overfishing, including curtailing industrial fishing to protect marine life.

Madagascar Deforestation

How Does Agriculture Affect Deforestation?

While there are many drivers of deforestation, a leading cause is animal agriculture.

sea turtle

The Oceans Are Under Attack. What Can We Do to Protect Them?

Even the most protected parts of the ocean “allow for some degree of extractive use, and some are even completely open to commercial fisheries.”

community farm

In California, Water Wars Threaten Local Food Systems

Water disputes can harm community food systems. But resolving these fights is no simple feat.

school lunch

The U.S. Needs to Reduce Its Food-Related Emissions. Cities Can—and Must—Lead the Way.

Reducing meat consumption is one of the most meaningful ways individuals can fight climate change. Experts say dietary changes at the local level are necessary to make a meaningful impact.

Gen Z: The Future of the Planet Is in Their Hands

Our planet is in trouble. Younger generations, like Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are taking action.

gen z

‘Hope Always Comes From the People’: Gen Z’s New Language of Resistance

Under Gen Z’s guidance, the climate movement has grown during the pandemic, with younger, bolder leaders emerging from all over the world.

dolphins

In Captivity, Dolphins Live Shorter, Less Natural Lives

In the wild, dolphins spend their lives surrounded by other dolphins. But in captivity, life looks very different, and their health often suffers as a result.

fires amazon

Deforestation in Amazon and Cerrado Reaches Record High

Officials say fires burning in the Amazon and Cerrado to clear land for soybean production—the primary ingredient in animal feed—have reached an all-time high.

parrot

In Central America, Local Communities Help Parrot Species Avoid Extinction

The illicit trade in wild birds, particularly scarlet macaws and yellow-naped parrots, has put many native species at risk of extinction.